DSC_2658 Feral cat (Felis catus) lateral view of jaws of a young wild cat prepared by George Holley. Note full set of healthy teeth. Broken and absent teeth in some skulls may indicate Feline immunodeficiency virus. FIV is a fatal disease in cats, and is similar to HIV in humans. Between 7% and 30% of NZ cats have FIV. Infection rates vary between regions, but areas with large feral cat populations have higher rates. Cromwell *
11002-19801 Kuri (Canis lupus familiaris) smallish dogs that reached New Zealand from East Polynesia around 1300 AD in the colonising canoes of Polynesian settlers. After interbreeding with European dogs, they eventually become extinct around the early 1860's. They had been important to the economy of early Maori, being valued as a food item for important guests, while kuri skins were used in cloaks. Today a few last remains of kuri are held at Te Papa and at Otago Museum *
11002-19806 Kuri (Canis lupus familiaris) smallish dogs that reached New Zealand from East Polynesia around 1300 AD in the colonising canoes of Polynesian settlers. After interbreeding with European dogs, they eventually become extinct around the early 1860's. They had been important to the economy of early Maori, being valued as a food item for important guests, while kuri skins were used in cloaks. Today a few last remains of kuri are held at Te Papa and at Otago Museum *
